Multi-hole Probes and more

Fluid flows can be easily and precisely characterized with Vectoflow's Multi-hole Probes. They differ from traditionally fabricated through their one-piece integrated design. This makes our probes are more robust, easier to clean and they require less maintenance. Our special additive manufacturing process allows for great flexibility in the geometry and a wide range of materials. Our probes can be easily integrated into your test rig or application.

Geometry

With Vectoflow's manufacturing process, you are able to flexibly customize your probe geometry. The probe head can be as small as 0.9 mm and lengths of up to 250 mm are standard.

A square or hex-shaped reference surface allows you to attach your probe to your system without changing your set up.

Currently we are developing an easy connector to attach to the flexible pressure lines.

Customized probes Picture by EOS GmbH

straight probes

L-shaped probes

Cobra probes

Application of different probe geometries

Straight: Straight probes are mainly used in the field of UAVs or in the automotive area.

Cobra: The main advantage of cobra-shaped probes is that the probe tip remains in the same location as the probe shaft is rotated. This is expecially advantageous when wanting to rotate a probe to gain additional measurement range (> 60°) or when calibrating a probe.

"Drilled Elbow": The `Drilled Elbow´ geometry is often chosen if the probe must fit into a narrow hole to put the probe head at the measurement position. This is often used in jet engines where access and space is limited.

Probe head shape

Different probe tip shapes are possible. Conical and hemispherical heads are standard. Other application specific geometries are also possible.

Materials

Possible Materials are:

Titanium (Grade 5)

Inconel 718

Stainless steel ( e.g. 1.4542, 1.4540)

Plastics (PEEK, PA12, ABS)

Specifications of multi-hole-probes

The following specifications are dependent on geometry, material, head shape, used pressure sensors and data acquisition.

Technical properties - overview

5 hole probe

7 hole probe

Flow angle

60° (1° accuracy)

70° (1° accuracy)

Probe head geometry

Conical, hemispherical, customized

Probe head diameter

From 0.9mm, 3mm standard

Geometry

Variable, length max. 250mm x 250mm (1-piece design)

Connection

Square, hexagonal, or custome

Temperature range

-50 °C up to +1200 °C (-60 °F up to 2200 °F)

Velocity range

3 m/s (10 ft/s) up to Mach 2 (1% accuracy)

Software

The core of the post-processing software is a library file, which can be integrated in any custom code. It calculates the velocity vector as well as the static and total pressure from the pressure measurement at the probe head.

Additionally, a software package will be available which offers GUI-based post-processing functions including batch processing.

Calibration

A professional calibration is essential for aerodynamic measurement devices and to produce reliable data. It defines the relationship between the pressure measured at the probe head and the velocity vector.

All flow probes are calibrated in our calibration wind tunnel to the customer's specified speed ranges.

Vectoflow GmbH

At a glance

Vectoflow designs and manufactures the industry's most powerful systems for fluid dynamic measurements. These are based on proprietary modeling and additive manufacturing technologies. Vectoflow supplies measuring systems consisting of the flow probes, the measuring hardware as well as the software. Traverse systems as well as consulting services round up the product portfolio of Vectoflow. Companies such as Siemens, GE and Safran as well as research institutions such as the DLR, Onera and UTC use Vectoflow systems worldwide to control velocities, flow angles, pressure and temperature in their applications (e.g., turbomachinery, aviation and automotive industry).